Keeping Kids Safe

On this week’s episode of Keeping Kids Safe, Karen and Megan are joined by the co-founder of The ZAC Foundation (and Karen’s husband!) Brain Cohn. During the conversation Brian discusses the New York Mets organization holding "ZAC Foundation Day" at Citi Field during the team’s August 31st game against the Los Angeles Dodgers—where Brian had the opportunity to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

The ZAC Foundation was able to share valuable water safety tips via several video PSAs that played on the jumbotron throughout the game—but why didn’t everyone want a free rally towel? Hear that hilarious story and more as The ZAC Foundation meets the NY Mets to advance water safety.

On this week’s episode of Keeping Kids Safe, Karen and Megan welcome Charon McNabb, founder of the National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Association (NCOAA). After experiencing innumerable ailments and years of being medically misdiagnosed, Charon eventually learned her rapidly deteriorating health was being caused by carbon monoxide inhalation via home appliance leakages. Charon did everything right when she bought her new home: hired professionals to conduct inspections, repaired old appliances, and even installed a carbon monoxide detector. Yet, there were additional steps that should have been taken. How can you protect your family from the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning? Are the carbon monoxide detectors in your home actually protecting your family? How can you keep your family safe when you are traveling, boating, and staying in hotels? This is a must listen to podcast that can save your family from what is commonly referred to as "The silent killer." For more information please visit NCOAA.us.

On this week’s episode of Keeping Kids Safe, Karen and Megan discuss the upcoming school year—which is suddenly right around the corner! Have the kids completed their summer reading assignments yet? Not quite…

So, how do you keep kids focused on learning during summer vacation? What is the college application process like? And does a glow-in-the-dark backpack have any real, practical value other than just looking cool? Karen and Megan break it all down.

On this week’s episode of Keeping Kids Safe, Karen and Megan discuss the return of ZAC Camps—which are designed to instruct children ages 5 to 9 how to stay “safe in any body of water.”  Karen talks about the origins of ZAC Camp, which began in 2011, and the development of a community-based approach to drowning prevention which involves first responders, elected officials, and local media in order to spread awareness and encourage access to water safety curriculum. Megan documents the amazing experience her own kids had participating in the program.

You can find additional information about ZAC Camps here: https://thezacfoundation.org/zac-camps/

On this week’s episode of Keeping Kids Safe, Karen and Megan discuss World Drowning Prevention Day on July 25th—which also happens to be Megan’s birthday! World Drowning Prevention Day, although only recently established, has already proven to be an effective method of bringing world-wide recognition and solidarity to such an incredibly important cause.

Karen recaps a busy schedule which includes commemorating the anniversary of Zachary Archer Cohn’s passing by bringing awareness to the importance of water safety with appearances on Good Morning America, Inside Edition, and writing an opinion editorial featured in The Huffington Post.

PLUS Karen and Megan share exciting news: the return of ZAC Camps! The camps are designed to instruct young children how to stay “safe in any body of water.” You can find additional information about ZAC Camps here:

https://thezacfoundation.org/zac-camps/

On this week’s episode of Keeping Kids Safe, Karen and Megan speak with Alexander Hoehn-Saric—who serves as Chair of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Chairman Hoehn-Saric was nominated to the position by President Joe Biden in July 2021 and was confirmed by the U.S. Senate later that year.

During the conversation Chairman Hoehn-Saric discusses the importance of consumer protection, particularly as it pertains to children—the ones most vulnerable to products that fail to meet basic safety standards. He explains how consumer products and drowning prevention efforts intersect: from recalling faulty self-closing hinges on pool gates, to educating society about the importance of pool safety. Remarkably, the CPSC monitors over 15,000 product categories. Every parent will benefit from learning about the important work of the CPSC.

On this week’s episode of Keeping Kids Safe, Karen and Megan discuss the 4th of July weekend—a time when, tragically, preventable drownings are traditionally at their peak. Startlingly, both the Philadelphia and New York-areas are already seeing an uptick in annual drownings through June. How can you prepare your kids for a safe trip to the New Jersey shore, pool, or any other open body of water? Karen and Megan provide you with everything you need to know to prepare for a safe, fun-filled summer!

On this week’s episode of Keeping Kids Safe, Karen and Megan speak with Dr. Miriam Lynch—the Executive Director of Diversity in Aquatics. Dr. Lynch’s organization advocates on behalf of water safety awareness and drowning prevention, particularly in vulnerable populations, while concurrently advancing equity and diversity in aquatic sports and activities.

Dr. Lynch discusses the historical significance of Juneteenth—a day commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. Diversity in Aquatics holds an annual event called “Juneteenth for Joy” in which the organization celebrates the holiday by being near the water and teaching underrepresented communities water safety techniques. The event is open to anyone interested in participating, whether it be virtually on social media or in-person in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

As the busy summer travel season gets underway, Karen and Megan welcome Joe Colella, a nationally recognized expert in car seat safety. Joe is the Director of Child Passenger Safety for the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association. How do you ensure your child is in the right car seat based on their weight, height, and age? Did you know that car seats have an expiration date and do you know where that information is located? What is the biggest mistake parents make when it comes to securing their children? Believe it or not, it's not just one! Join us for an incredibly important decision that can help keep your child safe and secure on the road so you can enjoy a family road trip that is memorable for all the right reasons.

What does the data tell us about drowning? One of the key aspects of successful injury prevention is analyzing relevant data and that is why on this week’s episode of Keeping Kids Safe, Karen and Megan welcome Dr. Ben Hoffman—a professor of pediatric medicine and the Chair of the  Council on Injury Violence and Poison Prevention. Dr. Hoffman announces an exciting partnership with The ZAC Foundation in hopes of decreasing the rate of childhood drowning though data driven analysis.

As a pediatrician practicing medicine for over twenty-five-years, Dr. Hoffman emphasizes the importance of educating parents about water safety. This can be difficult as many insurance companies limit consultations with new parents and this doesn't allow time for pediatricians to stress water safety and drowning prevention—an oversight that must end.

More information can be found at: www.aap.org/drowning